Book II, Epigram 44 (Ker)

Suppose I have bought a slave or a long-napped toga, or three, say, or four pounds of plate; straightway Sextus, the money-lender yonder whom you know to be mine ancient comrade, is timorous and careful lest perchance I should ask a loan, and murmurs to himself, but so that I may hear: "Seven thousand I owe to Secundus, to Phoebus four, eleven to Philetus, and there isn't a farthing in my chest!" O grand device of my comrade! It is harsh to refuse, Sextus, when you are asked; how much harsher before you are asked!